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6.15.2013

First came Luis Figo, then Zinedine Zidane. Then Ronaldo, after that David Beckham. The fifth was Michael Owen. Then the new era started with Kaka, who was followed by Cristiano Ronaldo the same season. Then came Karim Benzema, and then Mesut Özil. Next-to-the last on this list is Luka Modric, and this year it could be the turn of Gareth Bale.

Gareth Bale: Florentino Perez's next target

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez wants Gareth Bale to wear the number 11 on the back of his Real Madrid shirt, but of course for this to come to pass, he is going to have to roll up his sleeves to negotiate with Levy, and part with a hefty fistful of millions of euros.

6.14.2013

Florentino Perez does not just want to turn the Santiago Bernabeu stadium into an architectural landmark. He also wants it to be the club's main source of income. Outside, a nice stadium. Inside, a big business. Because Real Madrid is hoping to rake in an extra 120 million euros a year by taking full advantage of the new-look Bernabeu. It is estimated that the club will get 60 million euros for its property side of the business – revenue generated by the multiple incorporated businesses - and a similar figure from intangible sales.

Florentino Perez wants a new Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

The club currently receives around 160 million euros a season for operations at the stadium, but this includes ticket sales and season-tickets, and does not form part of the new budget. The club currently survives largely thanks to revenue from TV rights, which will decrease in the future, placing greater emphasis on extra income.

The club wants to follow the Madison Square Garden model in order to take full financial advantage of the football ground and the new plan was inspired by the New York stadium. There will be a gallery of shops and businesses of all kinds around the stadium. The clubs wants fans to be able to enter the complex without the need to leave to buy anything, even though fans may go in hours before kick-off. The Bernabeu stadium will welcome all types of businesses, including betting companies.

Hence the importance of reforming the Bernabeu to find new revenue streams. Real Madrid needs a new stadium concept to play football and make money, not only on game days, but throughout the week. It's delve into what's already there, but with a much stronger infrastructure. It's about turning the Real Madrid 'Coliseum' into the most important club's revenue source and not depend on others.

6.13.2013

The chances of Gareth Bale becoming Real Madrid's latest 'Galactic' hinge on Florentino Perez. The Real Madrid president believes that the club is the promised land for the top players and knows that there is no hotter property on the market right now than the Welsh player. For this reason, Florentino is going to personally oversee the negotiations to sign the Welshman, as he has done with the rest of the 'Galactics' since he first took up office in 2000.

Gareth Bale

Florentino Perez has done nothing to play down the club's interest in Bale when speaking to the media, insisting: "He's one of the best players in Europe and Real Madrid is always interested in the best". Nevertheless, despite this admission, the Real president has also stressed that the club is eager not to upset Tottenham, whose chairman he knows well. "I met the Tottenham president, Daniel Levy, last year, and he has a duty to protect his interests", Perez recently stated.

In recent days, Edinson Cavani has revealed that he is talking to other clubs, despite being under contract with Serie A side Napoli. Now, his mother has given an interview on Uruguayan radio in which she has named the teams that her son is in contact with: Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Edinson Cavani and his mother (Berta Gomez)

“Edi is talking to Madrid and City,” said Berta Gomez, who regularly speaks to the media about her son. She then went on to suggest that Chelsea – under former Real Madrid coach Joe Mourinho – are trailing in the race for the player’s signature. “The Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has spoken to Chelsea but there’s nothing concrete.”

6.12.2013

The Zidane dynasty is very much on the up. Enzo, Zizou's oldest son, is following in his father's golden footsteps and is set to represent Real Madrid's under-18s ('Juvenil A') next season, the last waypoint before making the leap into senior football. The starlet, who just turned 18, is coming off a fine campaign in Fernando Morientes' championship-winning under-17s ('Juvenil B').

Enzo Zidane

This season he has been one of the most valuable players, playing both as a midfielder as playmaker, as did the great Zinedine Zidane in his longed time. When not in France completing his coaching badges, Zidane Sr. has barely missed a 'Juvenil B' game in which his chip off the old block has featured. It is worth remembering that Enzo's younger brothers, Luca and Theo, are also on Real Madrid's youth teams.

6.11.2013

Luis Suarez has once again made it clear that he wants to leave the Premier League in the summer and continues to endear himself to Real Madrid. In an interview with the Uruguay media, the striker assured: "Every player wants to play for a big team and Real Madrid is a big team." Suarez stressed that Real Madrid was his ‘dream’ destination but insisted he had not received any offer from Real Madird.

Luis Suarez

The Liverpool striker said: “I don’t know if I will become a Real Madrid player, the only thing I know is that I have a contract. Every player would like to play for a huge team, and Real Madrid is a huge team. Every player wants to reach the top and Real Madrid is one of the top clubs, but everything that has been said so far is just speculation, I haven’t received any concrete offers.”

This Wednesday, Forentino Perez and Zinedine Zidane have scheduled an important meeting to decide Real Madrid's sporting future. This meeting will not only decide the future role of the former player, but they will also cover other vitally important matters, such as the composition of the 2013-14 squad.

Florentino Perez and Zinedine Zidane

Florentino and Zidane will meet to breathe life into Real Madrid's new project, which will undoubtedly revolve around the legendary former Real Madrid player, although the specific role he will play is still unknown. The club would prefer him to spend the majority of his time in its offices, whereas Zizou himself would prefer to spend more time out on the training field, especially if, as seems most likely just now, Carlo Ancelotti is the man chosen to take the reins of the first team.

And this is a team that still needs to be given a shape. The basic idea is that the side will be built around Cristiano Ronaldo, but the bigger picture still has to develop over time if Madrid hopes to return to title-winning ways. There are currently several names on the table, such as Gareth Bale, Luis Suárez or Cavani as potential reinforcements for the front line. And there is also another important area that needs to be taken into consideration - namely the players on their way out, with it now looking certain that Higuaín's days as a Real player are numbered.

6.10.2013

The fourth running of the Classic Match was a nice spectacle once again. The terraces in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium were yet again filled to bear witness this now traditional event for Real Madrid fans. The football played out on the turf in the Whites’ stadium did not disappoint and Real Madrid’s and Juventus’ former players showed off the quality that earned them all kinds of accolades throughout their playing careers. Figo broke the deadlock after six minutes by scoring from the edge of the area. In the second half there were two more goals. Montero equalised on 67 minutes and Ivan Perez decided the match in the 72nd. Cannavaro and Zidane added some fun to the occasion by playing with both teams.

Real Madrid vs Juventus. Heart Classic Match 2013

The spectators gathered at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium enjoyed a unique spectacle: the Classic Match 2013 Veracruz. And, as in the previous three runnings, goals and solidarity played a prominent role. In fact, it took only six minutes for the first goal to arrive. Zidane connected with Figo and the Portuguese hit a low shot from the edge of the box which beat Tacconi. The match was not lacking the quality pieces of skill that Figo, Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Redondo, Davids, Nedved, Torricelli all possess ... back-heels, spectacular control and fantasy-world passes lifted the fans from their seats. There were no more goals in the first half, despite the countless chances that both teams had.

The second half was much like the first. Real Madrid, with Cannavaro in their ranks, dominated possession of the ball and had the clearer chances, but their opponents defended officiously and tried to play on the counter. The equaliser came following a nice one-two between Amoruso and Montero on the 67th minute. There were more than 20 minutes left, but it only took five for the Whites to regain the lead. Ivan Perez and Butragueno, who had only just entered the field of play, created the move. The first was the scorer and the second executed the measured pass for the assist. Cannavaro and Zidane added some fun to the occasion by playing with both teams in a match which saw three goals, lots of special moments of quality and even Butragueno's amazing header against the crossbar. It was what the occasion deserved.